Tuesday, 30 June 2009

Kehen Temple, just north of the town of Bangli, is one of the largest temples in Bali, and a stirring example of the virtuosity of the stone-carvers of the region. It was founded in the 11th centuries by Cri Brahma Kenuti Ketu. Pura kehen has three courtyards, each entered through a towering, carved gateway. The second courtyard is a venerable Banyan tree.

Continue to, Besakih temple or “mother temple” the largest and holiest temple in Bali, is over 900 metres up the slopes of Gunung Agung. It has been regarded as a holy place since pre-historic times in Bali. The first recorded mention of its existence is from an inscription that dates from 1007 A.D. Since the Gelgel dynasty of the fifteenth century it has been regarded as a central, holy temple for the entire island.

Ride to the east coast, Patung; from here, you will be able to take a view around to see the scenery of terraced rice fields. From this high place, we will also be able to view the blue sea with fishermen ships catching fish. The beauty of Putung became famous through paintings of an Italian painter who lived in this area for a long time and married a local woman from Manggis village.

Balinese music is based around an instrument known as the gamelan. The gamelan is such a central part of Balinese music that the whole 'orchestra' is also referred to as a gamelan. Gamelan music is almost completely percussion. Though it sounds strange at first with its noisy, jangly percussion it's exciting and enjoyable.